First-ever Lib Dem
Mayor to be elected
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON is to have its first-ever Liberal Democrat Mayor.
When the borough council holds its annual meeting on Monday (June 21), veteran Liberal Democrat councillor Ted Lafferty (pictured) will be elected as the town’s leading citizen.
His election will bring to an end a lengthy campaign by his party to have a Mayor from within their ranks – a campaign that has resulted in fierce rows over Labour’s insistence on retaining the Mayoralty and, in one year, a boycott of the Mayor-making ceremony by the Liberal Democrat group.
Warrington had 14 Labour Mayors in succession, until they allowed Conservative Sheila Woodyatt to hold the post.
Since then they have had three more Labour Mayors – and it had been expected that a fourth would be elected this year.
But Deputy Mayor Jan Davidson, who was to have been the next Mayor, lost her seat at Great Sankey South to a Liberal Democrat.
Coun Lafferty is one of three Liberal Democrat councillors representing the Grappenhall and Thelwall area.
He has been nominated for the Mayoralty several times during his group’s lengthy campaign.
New leader of the Liberal Democrat group Ian Marks said: “It will be a well-deserved honour. He is a popular, hard-working and long-serving councillor.
“We must hope that this will mark the start of more co-operation between the political parties at Warrington.”
Members of the Labour group of councillors meet tonight (Thursday) to appoint executive board members, committee chairmen, etc – and to make a recommendation on the Mayoralty.
It is expected they will agree to Coun Lafferty’s election – and also elect Labour’s Coun Hans Mundry as Deputy Mayor.
Warrington has never had a Liberal Democrat Mayor. If the town has ever had a Mayor from the old Liberal Party it will have been before World War II.
?250,000 boost for
Legacy Project
by Gary Skentelbery
A UNIQUE project based at Warrington’s pioneering Peace Centre to help victims and survivors of Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’ who live in Great Britain has received a ?250,000 cash injection.
Victims’ Minister Angela Smith pledged the funding to the Warrington based Legacy Project, ensuring at least another three years for the ground breaking initiative.
Parliamentary Private Secretary Tom Harris MP made the announcement at the first national conference for GB victims and survivors of the Northern Ireland conflict, which took place at the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Centre.
Speaking to delegates from across GB, he said: ” The Needs of GB Victims and Survivors of the Northern Ireland Troubles’ is a milestone event in raising awareness of victims issues in GB and marks the implementation of an important recommendation from the Legacy Project’s Independent Needs Analysis published in November last year.
“The Government has responded positively to the recommendations contained in the report and today’s announcement of further funding of ?250,000 to the Legacy Project underlines its commitment to address victims’ needs and drive forward the report’s recommendations.
“This additional funding should sustain the valuable work done by the Legacy Project until 2007 and will allow for the needs of GB victims and survivors to be targeted in an appropriate way, relevant to their particular areas of need.
“The conference aims to share best practice in dealing with victims issues and gives service providers and practitioners an opportunity to share clinical experience and improve their understanding of the needs of trauma victims.”
Peace campaigner Colin Parry, who was joined by other victims of the troubles at the conference, said the Legacy project was a “unique oportunity” to work with victims of the conflicts.
“I can only speak of my own family’s experience of losing someone very close to us and being active has given us a sense of purpose.
“It is very appropriate that the announcement of this additional funding is made at the peace centre which is a testimony to two young boys very close to my heart.
“The legacy project needs sustainable income to survive and thrive and the latest award is very welcome.”
Trust Director Clare White said: ?This funding award is a testament to the quality of work undertaken by the Trust to date and the relevance of the Legacy Report as an independent piece of research. We are delighted to be able to now take our work to the next stage, delivering the recommendations from the report and developing an innovative programme of direct support that is not currently available. We will continue to work with victims, survivors and agencies to shape best practice methods and influence policy.
?It is our aim to develop a truly positive legacy, learning from events of the past, which may be used to support future victims of terrorism.?
David Bolton, Director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation, set up in the wake of the 1998 Omagh bombing atrocity, said: “There is clearly a common area of concern and it is very important that there is communication and dialogue between all those who have been victims of the troubles.”
Any one wanting more information on the Legacy Project please contact Jo Dover, Legacy Project Leader on 01925 581240.
Picture shows Colin Parry, Chairman of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust, with David Bolton, Director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation, Omagh, pictured at the Peace centre in Warrington.
Katy is May Queen
by Gary Skentelbery
ELEVEN-year-old Katy Robinson was crowned Lymm May Queen at the annual festival.
Katy lives in the village and is a pupil at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls.
Hundreds of villagers took to the streets in the annual parade – although the numbers watching again appeared to be down.
Rosebud was nine-year-old Kate Hulme.
The May Queen crowning was performed by Joyce Penlington from the Oughtrington Community Association.
Local schools, bands, Lymm Cruising Club, Lymm Jubilee WI and a variety of organisations and dance troupes took part in the parade.
Council draws up
list of shame
by David Skentelbery
COUNCILLORS at Appleton, Warrington, have drawn up a list of six sites where unsatisfactory reinstatement work has been carried out following the installation of new water mains.
They are in Red Lane, Bridge Lane, London Road, Wood Lane, Dale Lane and Park Crescent.
The list is being sent to United Utilities who angered members of Appleton Parish Council last month with claims that all roads and footpaths in the parish had been made good following the work.
Councillors claimed the parish had been left “in a mess” and decided to carry out a ward-by-ward review of unsatisfactory sites.
This resulted in the list of six sites – and previously councillors had identified sites in Mentmore Gardens and at the junction of Dale Lane and Bridge Lane.
United Utilities have subsequently said the Mentmore Gardens site has been dealt with and the Dale Lane/Bridge Lane site is to be attended to soon.
Councillors were inundated with complaints while work progressed on a ?1.3 million scheme which will improve water supplies in the Appleton area.
While welcoming the improves supplies, they criticised contractors carrying out the work for United Utilities.
TV artist will pass
on skills to others
by Lesley Wilkinson
ARTIST Richard Carmen, who has recently filmed a five part television series with Granada weather girl Jo Blythe, is planning a course to pass on his skills to others.
Richard, born in Penketh, Warrington, filmed the five-part series on the history of the River Mersey, called A Brush with the Mersey, for Granada.
He co-presented the series, which starts on July 5, with Jo, and spent the first three days on a luxury catamaran, b
efore continuing his journey on foot.
During the 70-mile journey, beginning at the Irish Sea and ending in Stockport, Richard stopped at various towns including Warrington – where be painted Bridge Foot Island and Walton Hall.
Richard, 43, lives in Comberbach, near Northwich, and paints mainly landscapes and portraits, in watercolours, oils and acrylics. He is also a member of Warrington Visual Artists Forum.
He is planning a six-week art class at the Pyramid Arts Centre in Warrington and further details are available from the box office on 01925 442345.
Park’s future
on the agenda
by staff reporter
THE future of Bewsey Park, Warrington, was the subject of discussion at a public meeting in the town.
Bewsey Park Friends Group – a group that has worked on developing and improving the area – invited local residents to talk about the community and its needs.
Improvements so far include provision of the Community Pavilion, currently being used by many groups, improvements in park lighting and provision of a fenced sports area. A youth activity area and a teen shelter are also planned.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the group should ring Melanie at Warrington Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Services Department on 443008.
First aid training
for parents
by John Hendon
A PROGRAMME of free first aid training for parents of babies and young children has been launched at Warrington.
Grandparents, babysitters and anyone else who has charge of young children can attend the courses run by St John Ambulance Cheshire at their training centre in Hoyle Street, Warrington on Monday evenings between 7-9pm.
The courses cover child and infant firest aid skills and accident prevention and the training teaches how to deal with a choking baby or child, unconsciousness and infant resuscitation, how to treat scalds, burns, cuts and how to deal with bleeding, poisoning, shock, convulsions, as well as health and safety in the home and much more.
Anyone interested in a free place on a course should call 01244 383407, extension 21 for dates and availability.
Remembrance day
at crematorium
by staff reporter
THE annual Service of Remembrance at Walton Lea Crematorium, Warrington will be held on Sunday June 27 at 3pm.
Members of the public are invited to attend the service that will be held in the grounds, weather permitting, or chapel. The Rev Stephen Kingsnorth will lead the ecumenical service.
He said: “This year we are inviting people to release balloons in memory of their loved ones.”
Angela Dunn, bereavement services manager, said: “Our annual Service of Remembrance has proved to be of great comfort to all those attending. As always, everyone is welcome.”
